20+ Easy DIY Christmas Decorations and Crafts

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These 20+ easy DIY Christmas decorations and crafts ideas will help you stay on budget and still create the perfect holiday home for you!

Christmas tree decorated with plaid ribbon and red bows

Many, many years ago when I was a young wife and mom I had high expectations for myself, especially around Christmas time.

You see, the holidays were an opportunity to embrace my inner crafter and make all.the.homemade.things.

I was known for the annual party I gave for my choir members. I was the music director for a small church and each year my husband and I would host a gathering at our home, completely provided for by me.

The decorations, the food, the beverages, EVERY.SINGLE.THING.

It was my gift to my choir for their faithfulness in serving week after week, side by side with my family.

White bowl filled with ornaments and plates with cookies

All during these hectic weeks we were also busy planning and performing our annual Christmas program.

Can you say over achiever? Or maybe too young to know better?

Now I look back and know there was a part of me that wanted to impress and prove I had it all together with my life. 

Christmas tree decorated with black plaid ribbon and red bows lit at night

I COULD do it all. But why did I think I had to?

Probably the same reason so many of you can relate today.

Every day you feel stretched too thin and overwhelmed. Quite possibly you’re asking yourself, how do I regain the true spirit of Christmas?

Wherever you are in your journey, I want you to know none of these projects I’m sharing today are meant to make you feel less than or inadequate.

I fight the “not good enough” battle every day but know that God has chosen me as His daughter. I am perfectly loved and acceptable just as I am.

My goal is to inspire you to maybe try one idea this year or pin a few for next year. Maybe there will be something in a project that you can use in your everyday decorating. 

Window table with tray and blue and red Christmas ornaments in bowl

Let these projects encourage you to find that joy again. 

Carve out some “me time” in the midst of this crazy holiday season and reclaim the love of handmade for the “right” reason. 

I’m not that same perfectionist woman anymore. I’ve learned a lot from the setbacks in my life and the relational challenges God has laid before me.

I realize as wonderful as those Christmas parties were, I missed out on so much by not being present in the moment and focusing too much on perfection. 

If you want to know how to make Christmas decorations step by step these ideas are for YOU!

So here are my favorite Christmas decorations and crafts from my blog all gathered into one place! Enjoy!

Easy One-of-a-Kind Christmas Decorations and Crafts

Christmas Crafts

Such a sweet throwback to an earlier time, these vintage ribbon candy ornaments are sure to delight your family as they decorate the tree.

Red and white and green and white ribbon candy ornaments

DIY Felt Ornaments

This simple arrangement has candles wrapped in scrapbook paper or card stock. Could not be easier but make sure and just use these for decoration. Add a sprig of fresh greenery and you’re done!

Tall candles wrapped in gold scrapbook paper

5-minute Simple Christmas Craft

You won’t need a hot glue gun for these wooden candle holders. They add the beauty of nature to your holiday home. You can change the color of tea light candle and use them any time of the year!

DIY rustic wood candle holders

Rustic Wood Candle Holders

I love adding these wood slices to an old window but they could be used anywhere with any saying.

Old window hung with chalkboard O Holy Night banner

Chalkboard Banner with Wood Slices

One of our favorite traditions during the holiday season is my Christmas village. What started out as a few houses is now a winter wonderland where all the happy people gather!

Step-by-step instructions are included if you want to create your own village! And the best part? Throwing snowflakes at the very end!

miniature Christmas village display with houses

How to Create a Christmas Village Display

Christmas Wreaths

You can see my love of buffalo check here! I’m not the best wreath maker so I used an embroidery hoop and created this lovely welcome for your front door.

Buffalo check hoop wreath with noel

DIY Christmas Hoop Wreath

Old clothes and fabric? Yes, please! Rag wreaths are my favorite because they’re easy AND so pretty to look at!

DIY Christmas rag wreath

How to Make a DIY Christmas Rag Wreath

DIY Christmas Projects with Wood

Instead of an advent calendar we used this Christmas countdown as a way to mark the days before Christmas.

25 days until Christmas wooden tree countdown

Fence Board Chalkboard Christmas Countdown

I love all the rustic wood projects we’ve made over the years but this Christmas tree tutorial is one of my favorites. Such a great reminder of the reason for the season.

Christmas tree made out of scrap wood

Scrap Wood Christmas Tree

Another fun wooden sign is this O Holy Night one. Perfect for an outdoor setting.

O Holy Night sign with vinyl letters repurposed from old wood

Fence Board O Holy Night Sign

Decorating Tips and Hacks
Get my FREE guide: How to decorate your home for practically nothing!
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This Joy sign was such a favorite I often kept it up year round. A little spray paint and a stencil and you’ve got a one of a kind sign for your home.

Wooden sign with JOY in stenciled letters

Fence Board Christmas Sign

Christmas Ornaments and Gifts

Want to add a personal touch to your Christmas ornaments and gifts? Try these easy projects with the kids this year!

These glitter ornaments are such simple DIY Christmas ornaments with ribbon added for extra prettiness!

No mess glitter ornaments for Christmas made with Mop -n Glo

No Mess Handmade Glitter Ornaments

Nothing beats a gift in a mason jar for your favorite teacher or family member. Tie a ribbon or yarn around the lid and add the free printable instructions.

Mason jar with M&M cookie mix inside

M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar with free printable

Another free printable and mason jar gift. Yes, this is one of my favorite gifts at Christmas.

Christmas gift labels and mason jar labels with free printable

Christmas Mason Jar Labels and Tags plus free Printables

Want your home to smell good as well as look good? This simmering homemade potpourri smells so good you’ll want to use it all winter!

simmering homemade potpourri made with oranges, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and cloves

Easy Simmering Homemade Potpourri

Christmas Decorating Ideas for Every Room (don’t forget the mantel!)

If you want to make your home more festive for the holidays without spending a lot of money I’ve got you covered!

Since I’m recently divorced I wanted to make sure you got a taste of my new cottage home. This is my sunroom and it’s filled with all the things that represent me! I especially love the metal hangers that I use to hang pretty decorations and outerwear.

Cozy sunroom with Christmas tree and decorations

Cozy Cottage Christmas Decor

I absolutely adore the charm of buffalo plaid (or check if that’s what you call it!) I try to add it to everything from the gift wrap to diy ornaments or with pillows and throws to add extra texture to the setting.

Christmas tree with blue and red decorations

11 Ways to Add Buffalo Plaid Christmas Decorations

I’m all about spending as little as possible for home decor and this post shares my best tips for staying within your budget.

Red plaid Merry Christmas banner hanging from mantel

How to Decorate for Christmas on a Budget

Do you have tons of extra ornaments lying around? Me, too, so I came up with several unique ways you can use them for Christmas.

old cathedral window decorated with green and white garland and red ornaments

10 Creative Ways to Use Extra Christmas Ornaments

Christmas ornaments and natural elements blend seamlessly in this simple metal container. I love shopping Dollar Tree for diy Christmas decor ideas that don’t cost a fortune!

Container filled with ornaments, greenery and berries

5 Cheap Christmas Decorations for a Simple Authentic Home

A farmhouse Christmas is possible with just a few buffalo check accessories and wooden accents.

aqua and red Christmas tree and rustic drop zone decorated for the holidays

Rustic and Thrifty Christmas Home Tour

I like to keep it simple in the kitchen, especially the one in my previous home. We had six bar stools at the island and plenty of people to fill them during the holidays.

Aqua and red Christmas decorations on island in kitchen

Rustic Christmas Kitchen Decor

I believe beautiful centerpieces are a must for a lovely Christmas table that welcomes guests and family alike.

Farmhouse kitchen decorated in aqua and red repurposed wood accessories for Christmas.

Rustic Christmas Table Decorations

When I first started adding aqua into my home color scheme I wasn’t sure about using it at Christmas. Turns out I adore the combination of aqua and red so much! You don’t have to go overboard when adding a different color. A little bit goes a long way while you decide if you really like it!

Red and aqua Christmas decorations with thrifty repurposed finds.

Decorating with Red and Aqua in the Kitchen

Christmas Mantels

If you don’t recognize the mantel it’s ok! I borrowed it for a photo shoot from some good friends! I used fresh greenery as a garland and added pine cones and lanterns to go with the center window.

Decorating a Christmas mantel the cheap way with nature and repurposed accessories.

How to Decorate a Christmas Mantel the Cheap Way

I love the burlap ornaments and berries in this vintage looking mantel.

How to decorate a pretend mantel with evergreens and repurposed items.

Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas

Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Our large deck was one of the places I always made sure looked inviting during the holidays. I just added a few touches of the season to go with my really decorations.

Deck decorated for Christmas with blue and red decorations

Front Porch Christmas Decorations

For years these lit luminaries greeted family and friends when I hosted parties and get togethers. I love the mixture of pine cones, greenery and berries with the ceramic luminaries.

Christmas tree luminaries on your front deck or porch with shaped luminaries and planters.

Christmas Tree Luminaries

More inexpensive ideas for your front porch or deck.

Front deck decorated for Christmas with red accents

Inexpensive Deck Decorating Ideas

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? I’d love to know!

If you’re starved for more Christmas decorations and crafts ideas I really like this roundup from Country Living and this one from Good Housekeeping.

20+ easy one-of-a-kind Christmas Decorations and Crafts

Decorating Tips and Hacks
Get my FREE guide: How to decorate your home for practically nothing!
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16 Comments

  1. Crafting is a great way to find joy again; thanks for sharing your wonderful projects. Merry Christmas Marty!

  2. Everything you has such an easy peaceful way about it. I am so glad you are getting back into the swing of this. Merry Christmas and praying God’s blessing mightily upon you.

  3. Brilliant Rosemarie! Now everyone can make their Christmas decoration at a cheap cost. These were some really inspirational Christmas decoration ideas. I really love beautiful. Hope you could make another one for other occasions though. Thank you!

    Shuhana Allen
    http://myreviewcenter.com/

  4. Beautiful, lovely and peace-filled is what I see within your home and deck! I remember watching that deck get transformed.
    I’m older now and don’t try to over achieve like I did when younger. There is a lot to be said for quiet and peacefulness.
    Love your blog and your open heart to share ‘All things Marty’
    MERRY CHRISTMAS MARTY!

    1. Hi, Dee. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I appreciate the fact that you’ve been following me for so long! I definitely agree that with age comes a different perspective on all the “stuff!” Merry Christmas!